God s Work, Our Hands

Transcription

1 Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 9700 Neenah Ave, Austin, Texas Phone Volume No God s Work, Our Hands November 2014 Edition Inside this issue: Consecration Sunday 1 Global Initiatives 2 Kindred Sisters 2 Prayer List 2 Sunday Readings 2 Birthdays/Anniversaries 2 Harvest Festival 3 Bake Sale / Youth Help 3 Flowers, Flowers, Flowers 3 LWR Stamporee 4 Council Highlights 4 Candidate Forum 4 Church Word Day 5 Prayer Shawl Ministry 5 Youth Pumpkin Carving 5 3rd Grader Bibles 5 All Saints Sunday 5 Election Day 5 New Member Potluck 5 Office Manager Position 6 Advent Approaches 6 Thanksgiving Eve Service 6 Memorials 6 December Save-the-date 6 State of the Church 6 Worship Leadership 7 Calendar 8 CONSECRATION SUNDAY I greet you in the name of the One who can do all things but fail! When we lived in Detroit, Thanksgiving was always a big deal we hosted the family dinner! It was nothing at all to have twenty-plus relatives gathered at our home for a festive, fun-filled, feasting day that was filled with food, football, and good old-fashioned fellowship. And, the amazing part was that everything went off without a glitch. As you probably know, there was plenty pre-planning and preparation that went into every detail to ensure that the day was perfect. I give all the credit to Felicia who began the Thanksgiving Day celebration thought process early on. By November 1, the menu was complete; the seating chart was arranged; the proper decorations were purchased (or hand-made); the fine china was washed, dried, and stacked (covered, of course) off to the side; and the drink selections were waiting to be iced. Nothing was lacking and on Thanksgiving Day, good times were had by all! Sunday, November 23 is Consecration Sunday here at Lord of Life. All family units are invited to participate in the pledging process of our faith community. In a few days, you will receive a pledge card that you are to bring to worship on Sunday, November 23 and during a special time in the service, you will have opportunity to place it on the altar. The pledge card will reflect how thankful you are to God for all the blessing God bestows upon you each and every day. Here s the connection with the above story. Begin planning your response now! Take the intentional time necessary to reflect on God s presence in your life. Pray about what a faithful response might be. Pray about it again and again. Don t plan by asking, What can I afford to give? At that point, God becomes an after-thought. Remember, God wants God s first. Pray about your response again. Think about last year s giving. If God has remained faithful, are you willing to trust that God will continue? Pray about your increase. Spend time with the conversion chart included in the mailing. If you have not been a percentage giver, take time to discover what your chosen dollar amount equals in percentage of your income (don t forget that stock portfolio). Pray some more. And, remember in your preparation, you are not giving to a budget, you are bringing your financial gift to the contemporary store house of biblical days in thanksgiving to God for all that God has given you. God bless you in your days of pre-planning and preparation. I truly believe God deserves the same behavior equated with hosting Thanksgiving dinner at your home. In the name of Jesus, Pr. Skip

2 Page 2 GLOBAL INITIATIVES Through the benevolence we pay to the ELCA we are supporting these global initiatives. A link is available on our website under Giving, so you can keep up-to-date on what the ELCA is doing to reach the world for Christ. PRAYER LIST Ann Willman, Angie Parr, Illa May Bartholomew, Doug & Brenda Searcy, Mike Kamensky, John Duarte, Mike Brown, Cindy Wallace, Linda Vaughn, Mel Wolf, Ann Bender, Carol Hirsch, Jeannine North SUNDAY READINGS November 2 Revelation 7:9-17 Psalm 34:1-10, 22 1 John 3:1-3 Matthew 5:1-12 November 9 Amos 5:18-24 Psalm 70 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Matthew 25:1-13 November 16 Zephaniah 1:7, Psalm 90: Thessalonians 5:1-11 Matthew 25:14-30 November 23 Ezekiel 34:11-16, Psalm 95:1-7a Ephesians 1:15-23 Matthew 25:31-46 November 30 Isaiah 64:1-9 Psalm 80:1-7, Corinthians 1:3-9 Mark 13:24-37 Birthdays: Parsons, Spencer 11/01 Parsons, Carter 11/06 Soiseth, Jeffrey 11/06 Grunska, Geoffrey 11/07 Waggoner, Mark 11/09 Sheehan, Connor 11/10 Schroeder, Rex 11/11 Covington, Sharon 11/12 Scott,, Robert III 11/14 Gold, Brinkley 11/15 Scott, Jr., Robert 11/15 Waggoner, Jessica 11/17 Traywick, Blake 11/18 Wilks, Gary 11/18 Weston, Erin 11/20 Haenel, Cindy 11/22 Klotz, Kim 11/22 Lack, Katrina 11/23 KINDRED SISTERS Lysaght, Edla 11/23 Schroeder, Adam 11/23 Thurman, Becky 11/24 Rush, Marita 11/25 Traywick, Brandon 11/26 Schroeder, Mary 11/27 Wendlandt, Beverly 11/27 Kaloustian, Brady 11/28 Wachsmann, Felicia 11/29 Life-Lines Kindred Sisters had our October meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 7th, at 10:30 a.m. at the Koinonia Cafe at LOLLC. We had Pastor Skip as our guest. He presented a very interesting Bible Study about Rahab, showing that God can and does use anyone, no matter what their circumstances are, to accomplish His plans. We had very good attendance and good participation in the Bible Study! Thank you, Pastor Skip! We all enjoyed fellowship as we ate our lunch and enjoyed dessert and refreshments provided by our hostess, Joanne Forseth. Kindred Sisters will have our November meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 4th, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at the Koinonia Cafe at LOLLC. Barbara and Nick Ferriola will present a slide show of their mission trip to Guatemala this past summer, through the organization "Common Hope". This should be a very interesting meeting! Please bring your own sack lunch, and dessert and refreshments will be provided by our November hostess, Marge Kretschmar. All ladies and friends of LOLLC are cordially invited to attend. We hope you can come! Please at joforseth@gmail.com, or call if there are any questions! Thank you! Just a reminder, there is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the Koinonia Cafe for hostess and/or programs for If you can be a hostess or provide a program, it would really be appreciated. Also, please bring your cancelled postage stamps for the Lutheran World Relief Stamporee Box. Thank you! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, giving thanks to a Wonderful God! Anniversaries: Eric and Courtney Warnsmann 11/06/2004 Anthony & Laura Lopez 11/08/1997 Diana Olsen 11/12/2003 Russell and Jenelle Sellers 11/24/1990 Ted and Glenace Klinker 11/26/1959 Rex and Mary Schroeder 11/29/2008 Herman and Olga Haenel 11/30/1956

3 Volume No Page 3 BAKE SALE / YOUTH HARVEST FEST HELP Lists to sign up for bake sale goodies for our upcoming Harvest Festival are in the Koinonia Cafe. Please sign up to bring something for LOL's bake sale booth as this is a really big fund raiser for LOL. If you make cookies we asked for at least 2 dozen and that ALL bake sale items be marked for identification and on a plate or in a container if possible. There are some containers in the cafe for you to take should you wish to use them. Contact: Donna Estes We are in need of Youth (middle and high school) to volunteer to help Saturday Nov. 8th during the hours of 7 am and 5pm with various jobs ie: selling drinks, kids crafts, selling raffle tickets and helping vendors. There is a sign up on the table in the Narthex or they can me simpsonhd@sbcglobal.net FLOWERS, FLOWERS, FLOWERS Flowers year round are just one blessing that the Lord showers upon Texas. Just the same as our Flower Chart. There are 52 Sundays to bring flowers to adorn our altar area for This year we are going to begin early to get the year filled up with promises of flowers for very special occasions or just for the love and honor of our Lord. We will begin signing up on the Flower Chart on December 7th. When you sign up in December you ll receive a hand made flower to hang on your Christmas tree or wherever you desire to put it. So start planning now and think of the date or dates that you would like to choose to bring flowers. First comes gets the best choices. See you December 7th by the FLOWER CHART in the narthex of the church!!!!!

4 Page 4 LWR STAMPOREE Life-Lines The goal of the Lutheran World Relief STAMPOREE is to support LWR s Project Comfort, which provides funding for the shipping of goods to those in need around the world. (The Personal Care Kits Kindred Sisters assembled were shipped via Project Comfort) Currently, total money raised is close to $24,000 over the eleven year collection process. LWR is very appreciative of the efforts of this program and thank all for participating and helping them. Kindred Sisters is asking all LOLLC members and friends to help support this LWR project by collecting and saving cancelled postage stamps. For your convenience and collection, a Stamporee box is in the Welcome Center waiting for your used envelopes containing cancelled stamps. Commemorative Stamps, State and United States Stamps from Fishing and Hunting Licenses are most desirable. Collections Information: 1. Start saving ALL cancelled postage stamps 2. Ask neighbors, relatives, friends, & co-workers to participate in your collection 3. Contact anyone you know who might have access to a large volume of mail ask them to save cancelled stamps for you 4. Buy and use commemorative stamps instead of common stamps. Ask for them from the postal employees. The recipient may also be saving them or will save them for you. 5. Place stamps at least ¼ from top/side of envelope when mailing letters/packages. 6. Stamps need not be trimmed or removed from envelopes 7. If trimming, leave at least ¼ around the stamp. Never cut off the perforation! 8. If tearing off envelope, leave at least 1-1 ½ around stamp 9. Do not soak off or remove stamp(s) from envelope REMEMBER: just SAVE stamps and USE commemorative stamps!!! Your biggest contribution is to save and ask others to save. Thank you. COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS New Worship Ministry Leader - Council voted to appoint Deb Grunska as the new Worship Ministry leader. Make sure to congratulate Deb on her new role, and let s do everything we can to support her. Constitution Team formed - Council voted to approve Marge Kretschmar, Deb Grunska, Dick Fink, Rex Schroeder, and Courtney Warnsman to be the constitution task force. You will hear more about their work soon. The tentative goal is to present proposed changes to the constitution to the congregation in May. Planning for 2015 Budget - Ministry teams are currently reviewing their 2014 budgets and expenditures in preparation for putting together the 2015 budget. The new budget will be discussed at the annual congregational meeting in January. If you would like more information on any of these items, or on any other church matters, please contact a member of Council. Thank you for your prayers and your involvement in Lord of Life. CANDIDATE FORUM On September 30th, a forum for candidates running for city council was held at Lord of Life. It was well attended with over a hundred people, and from all accounts was a very productive dialogue.

5 Volume No CHURCH WORK DAY On October 25th, our church members rallied for another biannual work day to beautify the church interior and exterior. Thanks to all who participated, and special thanks to Mike Brown for organizing the event. May we keep him in our prayers as he recovers from a fall that happened while working outside, that will necessitate ankle surgery. YOUTH PUMPKIN CARVING The youth gathered on October 25th for their annual pumpkin carving party, and then after dinner went into the neighborhood to spread the word about the upcoming Harvest Festival. 3RD GRADER BIBLES On Sunday, October 26th, we celebrated our 3rd graders, Benjamin Parsons, Timothy Redus, and Dax Simpson, by presenting them with Bibles to help them and their parents continue to foster spiritual growth. Sue Briner, our ELCA assistant to the bishop was in attendance along with our Christian Education superintendant, Wendy Waggoner, to present the Bibles to these young men. PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY Page 5 The Prayer Shawl Ministry would like to remind everyone that if you have a friend or loved one in need of a prayer shawl that you are free to take one from the back of the welcome center. Just select a shawl that you are drawn to. These shawls have been made with prayers of healing, comfort, strength and peace. We also have prepared a special prayer card that you may take and give with the shawl if you so wish. If you want a special blessing for the shawl by Pastor Skip please contact the office. If you are interested in joining this ministry or have any questions, please contact Deanna Brown at dmbrownmn@hotmail.com. ALL SAINTS SUNDAY On November 2rd, we will celebrate All Saints Sunday with a special slideshow listing the names of those who have gone before us in the faith and those who remain with us as role models in our lives. ELECTION DAY November 4th is Election Day. Lord of Life will be a vote center. Please go out and vote! TIME CHANGE On November 2nd at 2am, we will experience the fall back time change. Please make sure to adjust your clocks appropriately so that you can show up at the right time for church. NEW MEMBER POTLUCK We at LOLLC will have a special potluck meal to welcome new members, on Sunday, November 16th, at 12:30 p.m. after the late church service. We hope everyone can attend and show our appreciation to our new members and get acquainted with each other. There will be more information soon!

6 Volume No OFFICE MANAGER POSITION OPEN Page 6 David Pencil, who has served as Office Manager and Music Minister at Lord of Life for 5 years is stepping down from the office position at the end of November. The job listing is up on our website, facebook page, and on Craigslist. We ve already received a number of responses, but we encourage you to continue to spread the word until a candidate has been selected. David will remain on staff as Music Minister and train the new Office Manager. Even still, we ask for your patience with whoever is hired as it will take some time for them to learn all the ins and outs of the job. ADVENT APPROACHES November 30th marks the beginning of Advent. We encourage everyone to pray as this important season approaches that our hearts may be turned afresh to the wonder of God coming to us to seek and to save the lost. THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE On Wednesday, November 26th, Lord of Life will be holding a special Thanksgiving Eve service at 7:00pm. Last year, those who attended really appreciated the unique opportunity to share their thanksgivings with one another. We encourage everyone to attend and celebrate giving thanks to God as a church before we celebrate with our individual families the following day. MEMORIALS Todd Snook: Ted & Glenace Klinker, Horace & Nell Pennington, Rea Wiruscheske DECEMBER SAVE-THE-DATE Advent Midweek Services will be held on Wednesdays, December 3rd, 10th, and 17th at 11:30am and 7:00pm. On Sunday, December 21st, we will have a combined service at 9:30am as the LOL Choir presents the Christmas Cantata Beautiful King. On Wednesday, December 24th, we will hold our Christmas Eve evening services at 5:00pm and. The 5:00 service will be geared toward families with children. On Sunday, December 28th, we will have a combine service at 9:30am. Income for Sept.: $24,975 Income YTD: $227,903 Expenses for Sept.: $25,395 Expenses YTD: $214,220 Net Loss for Sept.: $420 Net Gain YTD: $13,783 Worship Attendance 9/7/ /14/ /21/ /28/ Weekly Average 123 YTD Total 3,317 Weekly Average 98

7 Page 6 Worship Leaders for November 2014 NOVEMBER 2, 2014 All Saints Sunday Color: White Assisting Minister: Rex Schroeder Lector: Wendy Waggoner Media Assistant: Dee Smith; Dick Fink Communion Assistant: Diana Hagens; Wendy Waggoner, Nell Pennington Ushers: Doug Caldwell, Bill Saegert; Horace & Nell Pennington, Bob & Linda Lane Altar Guild: Jim Tarsi; Heather Simpson, Avery Willenborg Acolyte: Bryce Sheehan Flowers: Eric & Courtney Warnsman, in celebration of their 10th Anniversary Life-Lines NOVEMBER 9, 2014 Time after Pentecost Color: Green Assisting Minister: Mindy Penland Lector: Stacey Mathews; Dick Fink Media Assistant: Jim Tarsi; Chuck Neeley Communion Assistant: Stacey Mathews; Wendy Waggoner, Felicia Wachsmann Ushers: Doug Caldwell, Bill Saegert; Horace & Nell Pennington, Bob & Linda Lane Altar Guild: Dee Smith; Kori Weston Acolyte: Kadyn Weston Flowers: Cindy Wallace, in celebration of Blake and Brandon s Birthdays NOVEMBER 16, 2014 Time after Pentecost Color: Green Assisting Minister: Jennifer Rosas Lector: John Paul Crawford Media Assistant: Dee Smith; Raina Parsons Communion Assistant: Dorothy Crawford; Wendy Waggoner Ushers: Doug Caldwell, Bill Saegert; Dave & Erica Smith, Mike Petry Altar Guild: Deanna & Lauren Brown; Chuck & Julia Neeley Acolyte: Harley Ekrut Flowers: Donna Estes, in honor oh her parents, Fritz & Betty Meinscher NOVEMBER 23, 2014 Christ the King Color: Red Assisting Minister: John Paul Crawford Lector: Deb Grunska Media Assistant: Jim Tarsi; Lloyd Haskins Communion Assistant: Dorothy Crawford; Wendy Waggoner, Monica Wolski-Kaloustian Ushers: Doug Caldwell, Bill Saegert; Dave & Erica Smith, Mike Petry Altar Guild: Lyn Lopez; Barb Petry Acolyte: Summer Simon Flowers: Ted & Glenace Klinker, in celebration of their 55th Anniversary NOVEMBER 30, 2014 Advent 1 Color: Blue Assisting Minister: Deb Grunska Lector: Nell Pennington Media Assistant: Dee Smith; Connor Sheehan Communion Assistant: Denise Sheehan, Monica Wolski-Kaloustian Ushers: Doug Caldwell, Bill Saegert; Gary Parsons, Brad Sheehan, Mike Kamensky Altar Guild: Cindy Wallace; Dick Fink Acolyte: Kira Niedert Flowers:

8 Volume No Page 8 N o v e m b e r Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2 All Saints Day 5:00 Emmanuel Indian Fellowship Gathering 3 11:00am Babywearing Meeting 7:00pm Education Ministry Meeting 4 Election Day 10:30am Kindred Sisters Bible Study 5 6:00pm Confirmation Bells Rehearsal Choir Rehearsal 6 Pack 150 Meet 7:00pm Finance Ministry Meeting :00-3:00 Harvest Fest 9 10 Stephen Ministers Meeting 11 Bible Study 12 6:00pm Confirmation Bells Rehearsal Choir Rehearsal 13 7:00pm Church Council Meeting :30 New Member Potluck 5:00 Emmanuel Indian Fellowship Gathering 17 TIFA Meeting 18 Bible Study 19 6:00pm Confirmation Bells Rehearsal Choir Rehearsal 20 Pack 1502 Meet Consecration Bible Study 26 7:00pm Thanksgiving Eve Service Choir Rehearsal 27 Thanksgiving Office Closed Advent